Radiography Program Information

Health TechnologyMajor: RadiographySWCC-VHCC-WCC Cooperative Program

Length:Two-year Program – Six semesters with practical experience in a radiology department to complete requirements for ARRT certification.

Program Mission: To prepare and graduate selected students to qualify as contributing members of the allied health team, who will care for patients under the supervision of qualified physicians. The Program combines adequate didactic instruction with clinical experience to create a sound foundation for a professional career. Contact us at: sw.edu

Program Effectiveness Measures:

Goal 1: The Cooperative Radiography Program will monitor program effectiveness.

1.1 Students who enter program will graduate
1.2 Graduates will pass the ARRT registry examination
1.3 Graduate will gain employment as a radiographer
1.4 Graduates will indicate preparedness as an entry-level radiographer.
1.5 Employer satisfaction with graduate’s preparedness for entry-level radiographer.

2.1 Students will practice positioning competency
2.2 Students will practice the appropriate use of ionizing radiation and protection skills
2.3 Students will practice the appropriate use of technical factors for exposure

4.1 Students will practice age appropriate patient communication skills
4.2 Students will practice good writing skills through preparation of a Case Study
4.3 Students will practice good oral skills through presentation of a Case Study
4.4 Students will practice personal accountability for punctuality and appearance

Goal 5: Students will develop professionally and demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of life-long learning.

5.1 Students will understand the role of professional organizations in their career development
5.2 Students will practice an understanding of professional / legal ethics
5.3 Students will practice networking with colleagues / peers within the profession

Accreditation: This program is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee for Radiologic Technology Education (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois, 60606-3182, phone (312)704-5300. You may also contact JRCERT at mail@jrcert.org or at www.jrcert.org.

Radiography Program Outcomes

Annual Program Statistics 2009 – 2013

Year

Program Completion Rate

ARRT Certification Examination Pass % 1st attempt

Graduate Employment Outcome **

2010

32 of 41 / 78%

29 of 31 / 93%

23 of 27 / 85%

2011

36 of 42 / 86%

30 of 36 / 83%

18 of 19 / 95%

2012

25 of 36 / 69%

22 of 25 / 82%

11 of 11 / 100%

2013

21 0f 28 / 75%

14 of 17 / 82%

14 of 14 / 100%

2014

No new students taken for the 2012-2014 academic cycle

None

None

2010 – 2014 average

114 of 147 / 78 %

95 of 109 / 87 %

66 of 71 / 93 %

** Interpretation: Job placement rate is defined as the number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences. The JRCERT has defined not actively seeking employment as: 1) graduate fails to communicate with program officials regarding employment status after multiple attempts, 2) graduate is unwilling to seek employment that requires relocation, 3) graduate is unwilling to accept employment due to salary or hours, 4) graduate is on active military duty, and/or 5) graduate is continuing education.

Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities for well-trained registered radiographer are available in hospitals, clinics, education, industry, government agencies, and private offices.

Admission Requirements: In addition to the general admission requirements to the College, applicants must be high school graduates, or equivalent, and must reflect “C” average. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be achieved on all college work.

To meet the Radiography Program specific admission requirements the applicant must have completed and submit for file at the college by January 15th:

One year of Biology with lab; High School Biology or (BIO 20 or BIO 101 at SWCC) with “C” or better grade.

One year of Chemistry with lab; High School Chemistry or College (CHM 05 or CHM 111 at SWCC) with “C” or better grade.

Official High School/GED and college transcripts submitted to Admissions Office

A minimum 2.0 curricular GPA is required. The GPA will be based on the last school attended, whether HS or college, with at least 12 credits.

Completion of the Virginia Placement Test(s): scores valid for two years

o includes sections of reading/writing. The student must demonstrate competence through ENF 2 or proficiency in reading/writing ENG 111 with the last 5 years.

o and MTE modules 1-6 or proficiency in Math through MTH 151 or higher level within the last 5 years

o All prescribed developmental work must be completed before admission into the program.

All the above submitted with radiography application to the Admissions Office by January 15th

Hospital observation requirement in a Radiology Department for a minimum of twelve (12) hours; this observation is to be documented by radiology personnel denoting date(s) and time(s)

Attend an information session with Radiography Program faculty.

The Radiology Program admission requirements listed must be completed and on file at the college by January 15.

Students should make their advisor aware of any plans to transfer to a senior institution. Students who are planning to transfer to a senior institution may be advised to take upper-level math and science courses as prerequisites to the Radiography Program.
Students selected for the Radiography Program are required to submit a Health Certificate complete with a physical examination/vaccination history signed by a physician prior to final admission to the program. The certificate will be furnished by the program and when returned, it will be kept on file for program documentation. Applicants are to wait for selection notification from the program before proceeding with the physical examination due to the expense involved.
When enrollments must be limited for any curriculum, priority shall be given to all qualified applicants who are residents of the political subdivisions (Buchanan, Dickenson [partial], Russell, or Tazewell counties), supporting the College and to Virginia residents not having access to a given program at their local community college, provided such students apply for admission to the program prior to registration or by a deadline established by the College. In addition, residents of localities with which the College has clinical-site or other agreements may receive equal consideration for admission. To be considered as a Virginia resident, an applicant must be domiciled within Virginia for 12 months prior to January 15. Applicants moving out-of-state between January 15 and the first day of classes will lose their preferred status and any offer of admission to the program will be withdrawn. Out-of-region applicants who are Virginia residents will be considered for program openings available after April 1 and out-of-state applicants for openings available May 1.

Technical Standards:

Physical Demands:
A. Duties frequently require squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, and stair climbing
Also includes occasional crawling and climbing.
B. Duties include lifting/positioning of patients and equipment required to provide care:
• frequent lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
• frequent pushing and pulling up to 200 pounds with assistance
• occasional lifting up to 200 pounds with assistance
• occasional carrying up to 51-74 pounds
C. Duties require constant use of acute sense of sight, hearing, and touch.
• ability to read orders, test results, instructions, labels differentiate color, consistency
• must be able to hear heart sounds, etc.
• must be able to palpate and distinguish heat/cold

Program Requirements: Upon admission and during the course of the program, the radiologic faculty will carefully observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for the profession. If, in the opinion of the radiologic faculty, a student does not exhibit professional behavior, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program.
Once enrolled, students who receive a final grade lower than “C” in any of the courses in radiography or related areas must obtain permission from the program director to continue the major in radiography.
Selected learning experiences will be provided at the cooperating hospitals within the geographic areas served by the college. The student is expected to provide transportation to such facilities. Travel, time and expense, must be anticipated because of program design and location. Travel distance will vary from 1-60 miles one way from your home campus depending on the hospital clinical assignment.
The purchase of items such as student’s uniforms, accessories, and liability insurance is the financial responsibility of the individual student.

Criminal Background Checks/Drug Testing:
Background checks for criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors are required for entrance into some clinical agencies. Students with convictions may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Clinical agencies may require drug testing prior to placement of students for clinical rotations. Students with positive drug test results may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Cost for criminal background checks and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student.

Radiography is a cooperative program with Southwest Virginia Community College, Virginia Highlands Community College and Wytheville Community College.

*Students who wish to pursue a Baccalaureate Degree are advised to take both ENG 111-112. ENG 101 may be substituted for ENG 111, but is not a transferable course.

**Humanities/Fine Arts: Students may choose from the following courses: Philosophy, Religion, Music Appreciation, Art Appreciation, and Foreign Languages.

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Southwest Virginia Community College does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admission. Inquiries may be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer at (276)964-7340 or email Cathy.Smith-Cox@sw.edu.